Hawaii Big Island Vacations

Overview

Hawaii Big Island is a volcanic island in the U.S State of Hawaii and it covers over half the area of the state. The Island in the North Pacific Ocean is given the name Big Island to distinguish it from the Hawaii state as a whole. It is the most prominent island in the United States and is bigger than every other Hawaiian island put together.

Hilo is Big Island's largest city, and has a population of about 50,000. It is the second largest city in the Hawaiian Islands, after Honolulu.  

Activities & Attractions

The volcanic mountains are the most spectacular attractions in Big Island. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the world's largest volcano, Mauna Loa, and also the world's most active, Kilauea, which has been continuously erupting since the year 1983. You can drive around Crater Rim, take a look at the steam vents, and drive down the Chain of Craters Road to see the fresh lava flowing into the ocean. Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano, and standing 13,796 feet tall, is the highest mountain in the world when measured from its base. It has evolved as an international center for astronomy.

You can experience nature in interestingly different ways in this varied island. Visitors can go on exciting cruises and enjoy the sight of dolphins and whales. A few other activities you can try your hand at include angling, water skiing, and snow skiing. There are also numerous black sand beaches in Big Island.

Lodging

Accommodation opportunities are as divergent as the island itself. Big Island is full of resorts and there are also many bed and breakfast inns where you can stay. Visitors even have the luxury of choosing from among ocean-view resorts and cottages nuzzled in the rainforests in the area. You can also rent a vacation home or stay at a mom and pop small hotel. It is a good idea to review a map and plan ahead before choosing a place to stay, so that you are near your area of interest.

Transportation

Two major airports serve Big Island, the Kona International Airport and the Hilo International Airport. There are some direct flights to and from the mainland of the United States, mostly from California. But most people prefer the route via Honolulu or Kahului. However, if you can get a direct flight to Kona, you will save a lot of waiting and walking around the Honolulu airport. There are no direct flights available from the mainland into the Hilo airport. Kona airport is busier and so if you are flying within the Hawaiian Islands, you may be better off flying into Hilo, as it will be easier and more hassle-free.

Once in Big Island, you can choose to travel by boat. There are many cruise ship lines operating in the area. However, there is no dedicated inter-island boat service, although one is planned for 2009.

The best way to see the island is by renting a four-wheel drive vehicle, as many of the spectacular sights are accessible only by the road.